After the Resurrection, Peter went fishing and Jesus made breakfast (see John chapter 21). Peter had failed the Lord in an extreme way. As Jesus faced his death, Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus three times (John 18:15-27). Try to imagine Peter’s complex feelings after Jesus died then rose from the dead.

In my imagination, Peter would have felt wonder and joy that Jesus was alive, but he also must have carried around a tremendous weight of guilt and shame because of his betrayal at the moment of Jesus’ greatest need. When Peter had an opportunity to “do the right thing” and offer a small measure of support when Jesus was all alone, Peter’s fear and insecurity drove him to his greatest failure.

Now, that Jesus was alive Peter may have felt like he had lost an opportunity to serve Jesus and help lead the other disciples because of the way he let Jesus down. So, Jesus arranged a special intervention…On the Sea of Galilee where Jesus had previously given Peter a miraculous catch of fish and called Peter to follow him, Jesus gently but clearly restored Peter.

Have you ever felt like Peter? Like Peter, we often fail to “get it right.” In following Jesus and in loving one another, we display our imperfections and failures. Like the original disciples, our failures create opportunities to learn more about Jesus’ character while our character is shaped by his grace.

This coming Sunday, we begin a new teaching series Imperfect Disciple. We will follow along with some of the misunderstandings and mistakes of Jesus’ original disciples and ask the Lord to keep changing our character while teaching us about his. Be part of this series each weekend and consider who you could bring along with you.

Titus

P.S. Another great opportunity to find restoration and healing happens every Monday at 6:30 in the Student Center, Re:Generation. Connect with others who are struggling through their own hurts, habits, and hang-ups inRe:Gen.